---
The royal gates opened with their usual fanfare, the capital streets lined with curious onlookers. It had been over a month since the Prince had last returned to the palace, and even longer since he was seen with a guard at his side.
The man beside him was dressed plainly in silver-gray armor, his black hair tied loosely back, brushing his shoulders with each step. His posture was upright, calm—but his eyes scanned everything too carefully, too quietly.
To most, he was unfamiliar.
Just another foreign knight.
But to those who watched too closely…
Something wasn't right.
---
"Who is he?"
"A knight the Prince picked up during his retreat, they say."
"What's his name?"
"Lǐ Wú. Sounds like a drifter's name."
"He walks like he belongs here."
"He walks like someone who's hiding something."
---
Inside the main hall, the Royal Steward came forward.
The Prince dismounted, his robe trailing regally behind him as he held out a scroll.
> "His name is Lǐ Wú. He will be serving under my command starting today."
The steward read the paper, lips pursed. His eyes flicked up to the new knight, staring for a few seconds too long.
But he bowed.
> "As you command, Your Highness."
---
For the first few days, Shèng Lín—Lǐ Wú—kept to himself.
He didn't dine in the central mess.
He didn't speak unless spoken to.
He trained early and cleaned up late.
Some of the younger knights found him intimidating.
Others found him… attractive.
But none could place his origin, and that was exactly how the Prince wanted it.
---
Until Commander Qi, the oldest knight in the royal regiment, called out to him during a sparring session.
> "You hold that blade like you've held it here before."
Shèng Lín stiffened, then offered a polite nod. "Old habits, Commander."
Qi narrowed his eyes.
> "You look like someone I used to know."
> "Then I hope I fight better than him," Shèng Lín said, his lips lifting faintly.
The old knight smiled—but it didn't reach his eyes.
---
That evening, the Prince visited the training yard late, just as Shèng Lín was finishing his drills.
> "Commander Qi looked at me too long," Shèng Lín said without turning.
> "He's old. Suspicious of everything."
> "He remembers me."
The Prince stepped forward and brushed a strand of damp hair from Shèng Lín's temple.
> "Then remind him you're someone else."
> "And if I slip?"
> "Then I'll lie better," the Prince said with a dangerous grin. "No one touches what's mine."
--